Pastor's Notes

The narrative of chapter 4 of the Book of Acts tells of the bravery and boldness of Peter and John as they faced the religious authorities who were “grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead” (Acts 4:2). Due to their faithful and fearless proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, “many of them which heard the word believed, and the number of the men was about five thousand” (Acts 4:4).

The Peter who had just weeks earlier denied that he knew Christ, had become one of His most fearless witnesses. Who or what made the difference? The difference was that the bold Peter was filled with the Holy Ghost. No doubt, he remembered Christ’s words “ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you” (Acts 1:8).

Peter and John, though ordinary men, were mightily used of God to proclaim His Word. Though ordinary men, the religious leaders “saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned (uneducated) and ignorant (untrained) men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13). The testimony of Peter and John was that others could see that they had been with Jesus. There can be no greater testimony than for others to see Jesus in your lifestyle.

Likewise, each of us should desire to allow the Holy Spirit to have such sway upon us that Christ’s fullness dwells in us richly. We should live in such a way as to let others see Jesus in our attitude and actions. The following excerpt from Our Daily Bread further illustrates this truth.

Most of us are ordinary people in a real life of work, relationships, and everyday circumstances. Our opportunities to demonstrate the reality of Christ may sometimes come disguised as difficulties, as they did for the disciples in Acts.

As ordinary people, we can have an extraordinary impact for Christ if we will trust the Author of our circumstances and rely on the Holy Spirit’s power.